Hitch for offset harrows



June 27, 1939. A, E w JOHNSON 2,164,210

HITCH FOR OFFSET HARRows Filed Oct. l5, 1937 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 n @im A wily- June 27, 1939. A. E. w. JOHNSON HITCH FOR OFFSET HARROWS Filed Oct. l5, 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 ljzvezzto QE ZaJoJmsozz .lune 27, 1939. A. E. w. JOHNSON 2,154,210

BITCH FOR OFFSET HARROWS Filed Oct. l5, 1937 4 Sheets-SheetI 3 Inventor E ZJoImsogz June 27, 1939. A. E. w. JoHNsoN HITCH FOR OFFSET HARROWS Filed Oct. l5, 1937 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented June 2:7, 1939 PATENT OFFICE alessio nrrcn Foa OFFSET naanows Arnold E. W. Johnson, Chicago, Ill., asslgnor to International Harvester Company, a corporation o! New Jersey Application October 15, 1937, Serial No. 169,220

1 claims. (ci. ss-sa) This invention relates to oil-set harrows and more particularly to a construction which will permit the turning of the harrows.

An object of the invention is to provide an off-set disk harrow construction which may be turned.

Another object of the invention is to provide means which will swing the harrow frames into proper angular relation for turning.

A further object of the invention is the provision ofmeans which will effect the automatic swinging of the harrow frames of the proper relation whenever the tractor or other pulling device is turned.

Disk harrows, of the type to which this invention relates, ordinarily include a pair of sections or frames disposed in tandem relation and offset to one side of the tractor which pulls them. During operation of the harrow, the frames are so positioned that the harrow elements of one frame are at an angle to the elements of the other frame. The frames are in proper relationship for turning the harrow in one direction, but it is necessary to shift the frames to permit the harrow to be turned in the opposite direction.

According to the present invention, the swinging of the harrow frames in the proper angular relation for turning is effected through a transverse bar connected to the forward ends of the draft members and to a draw-bar on a tractor.

An abutment member is fastened to the transverse bar and extends toward the tractor. When the harrow is to be turned in the direction where no shifting of the frame is required, it is simply pulled around in that direction. When the har- Vrow is to be turned in the other direction, turning of the tractor causes the frame of the tractor to contact the abutment member and the transverse bar, and a consequent shifting of the transverse bar effects a swinging of the frames into an angular position where they may be turned.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a plan view showing an improved harrowfconstruction in ordinary operating position;

Figure 2 shows the same harrow construction while a turn to the right is being effected;

Figure 3 is a plan view of a modified form of a harrow construction; and, Figure 4 shows this harrow construction when a turn to the right is being made.

As shown in Figure l, there are a front gang frame I0 and a rear gang frame II pivotally connected together at'l2. Each frame has the usual shaft and harrow elements attached thereto. A lever I3 is pivotally attached intermediate its ends to the rear of the forward frame. A link Il connects one end of the lever I3 `and the rear frame. A telescopic draft member I5` is attached to the other end of the lever and 5 extends forwardly to pivotal connection adjacent one end of a transverse bar I6. Another draft member I1 is attached near the other end of the transverse bar and to the forward side of the forward frame, as at IB. A bar I9 is pivotl10 ally attached to the forward frame at the pivot point of the lever I3 and extends through a slotted bracket 2li attached to the rear frame. The angular position of the frames may be changed or may be fixed by means of a pin, not 15 shown, extending through any one of the plurality of openings 2| in the bar I9 and abutting the rear of the bracket 20 to limit the angle between the frames. A telescopic member 23 is pivotally attached at 24 to the draft member I1 and at 25 to the front end of the forward frame I0 through a bracket 26. Pulling vmeans for the harrow, which may be a tractor, is attached to the transverse bar IB at 21 and, as shown, consists of a draw-bar 28 rigidly attached to a frame 29. An abutment member 35 is fixed to the transverse bar near the point of attachment of the draft member I5.

As seen in Figure 1, the gang frames are in operating position and occupy a proper angular .1.30 relation for a turn to the left, since the harrow elements are tangent to an imaginary circle having its center to the left of the frames. When a turn to the right is to be made, the frames must be shifted relatively to one another; this is shown in Figure 2. As the tractor is turned to the right, the frame member 29 contacts the abutment member 30. Thus, pressure is exerted on the draft member I5, and the arm of the lever I3 to which the draft member I5 Y is attached swings rearwardly with respect to lthe frame I0. 'I'he other arm of the lever swings forward, and the frames are moved into the positions shown in Figure 2 wherein the harrow elements are substantially parallel to one an- 45 other. Thus, the frames are in proper angular position/to be turned to the right.

It will be noted that there is no abutment member on the transverse bar I6 adjacent the point'of attachment of the draft member, and that the transverse bar is bent back away from the frame member 29. Thus, when the tractor is turned to the left, the frame member 29 doesA not contact the transverse bar I5 Aand the angular position of the frames is maintained. 55

4caused to back up against the frames.

i v measure exerted by the draw-bar 26 acts through the transverse bar I6 and draft member I6 to swing the lever Il about its pivot point on the front frame I6 and tobring the rear frame II toward the front frame so that the frames are approximately parallel, as shown in the turning position of Figure 2. 'Ihen a pin is inserted through the proper hole 2| in the bar I6 to hold the frames in this position and the frames are in transport position.

'Ihe member 2l is formed of telescopic sectionsso that it may be adjusted in length and the angular position of the draft member I1 be varied with respect to the forward frame Il. any one operation of the harrow, however, the\draft member I1 has the same angle with respect to v.the frame I6. The other draft member I 6 is also made adjustable through telescoping sections, but its length is fixed for any one operation.

Figure 3 shows a modified form of harrow in operating position. It comprises aforward frame 46 and a rear frame 4I pivotally connected at 42. There is a lever 4l pivotaily attached to the forward frame 46 at 44, and a link 46 connecting one end of the lever and the rear frame 4 I A lever 46 is pivotally attached to the front of the frame 46 by means of a bracket 41. A link 46 connects the lever 46 and the lever 46. The free end of the lever 46 extends across an arcuate member 46,

attached to the front side of the frame 46 andforms on an arc having its center at the pivot point of the lever 46 on the frame 46. Circular members 66 are attached to the under-side of the lever 46 and embrace the arcuate member 46. There is a series of holes 6I in the arcuate member, and the angle between the lever 46 and the front frame may be limited by means of a pin through any one of the holes `and abutting the front side of the lever 46. Limiting of the angle of the lever 46 in turn limits the angular positions of the disk frames through the links 46 and 46 and the lever 46. A draft member 62 is pivotally connected tothe front end of the arcuate member and also to a transverse bar 63. A second draft member I4 is pivotally attached at one end to the transverse bar 6l and at the other end to the lever 46. A telescopic member 5l is attached to the draft member 52 at one end at 66 and at the other end to the lever 46 at a point 61 adiacent the point 41 by means of a bracket 66. A means for pulling the harrow is attached to the transverse bar 6I. 'I'his may comprise a tractor, or, asshown in the drawings, a draw-bart! and a rigidly attached frame member 66. An abut-v ment 6I is attached to the transverse bar il on the side extending toward the frame member 66 and adjacent to the draft member 64.

The operation of the harrow shown in Figures 3 and 4 isthe same as that of Figures 1 and 2. A turning to the right causes the frame member 66 to contact the abutment member 6I. The draft member 64 moves back relative to the front frame and, consequently, the lever 46, the link 46, and the arm of the lever 46, to which the link 66 is attached. also moves back. The other arm of the lever 4I moves forward with respect to the front frame 46, and the\rear frame is also brought forward so that the frames occupy the position as shown in Figure 4. In this position, the barrow elements are substantially parallel and turning to the right is made possible.

'lhe member 66 is made in telescopic sections so that it may be adjusted in length and the angular position of the draft member 62 with respect to the frontframe 46 may be varied. For any one operation of the harrow, the angular position of the draft member 62 is fixed.

In order to transport the second form of harrow, the pulling means is backed toward the frames. Thus pressure from the draw-bar acts through the draft-bar, lever 46 and link 48 to swing the lever 46 about its pivot point on the front frame and to bring the rear frame toward the front frame so that the frames are approxil mately parallel as in the turning position of Figure 4. 'Ihen a pin is dropped through a hole in the arcuate member 46 at the forward side of the lever 46, andthe frames are locked in proper relation for transporting.

From the foregoing description, it will be evident that the harrows are alike, except in several details. In the second form of barrow, the draft member 64 is connected to the lever 41, to the lever 46 and link 46, while in the iirst form of harrow, the corresponding draft member, which is the member I6, is directly connected to the corresponding lever Il. In the first form of harrow, limiting of the angular position of the frames is effected by means of the bar I9, while in the second form of harrow, this limiting is effected by means of the arcuate member 49 and the levers 43 and 46 and the links 46 and 48.

In both forms of harrows shown, the off-setting is to the right and turning to the right necessitates shifting of the frames. It is understood, however, that the principles of construction shown may also be applied to harrows where the oilsetting is to the left and a turn to the left requires shifting of the frames.

It is intended to limit the invention only in terms of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination, a pair of disk vgang frames disposed in tandem relation and pivotally connected to one another, a pair of draft members operatively connected to said disk gang frames, a transverse bar pivotally connected to said draft members at spaced points, and a pulling means comprising a frame member pivoted in spaced relation to the transverse bar at a point intermediate the points of attachment of the draft bars so as to contact the transverse bar upon pivoting of the means with respect to the bar.

2. In combination, a pair of disk gang frames disposed in tandem relation and pivotally connected to one another, a pair of draft members operatively connected to said disk gang frames, a transverse par pivotaliy connected to said draft members at spaced points, an abutment member extending from the transverse bar in proximity to one of the draft bars in the opposite direction from said draft bar, and a pulling means pivoted in spaced relation to the transverse bar at a point intermediate the points of attachment of the draft bars so as to contact the abutment member upon pivoting ofthe means with respect to the bar.

3. In combination, a pair of disk gang frames disposed in tandem relation and pivotally attached to one another, a pair of draft members operatively connected to said gang frames, a transverse bar pivotally connected to said draft members at spaced points and having a proiec tion extending therefrom in proximity to one draft member but in an opposite direction, and a pulling means comprising a frame member and a ,draw-bar, rigidly connected thereto and extending therefrom and pivoted to the transverse member at a point intermediate the points of attachment of the draft members so that the frame member contacts the projection upon pivoting of the pulling means with respect to the transverse bar.

4. In combination, a pair of disk gang `trames disposed in tandem relation and pivotally connected to one another for limited relative angular movement, a draft member fixed at one end to one disk gang frame against relative movement with respect thereto, a transverse member pivotally connected to the other end of the draft member, a link pivotally connected to the transverse member at a point spaced from the point of connection of the draft member, a lever pivoted intermediate, its ends to the said gang frame and operatively connected toward one end to the said link and toward the other end to the other gang trame at a point spaced from the point about which the trames pivot with respect to one another, and pulling means comprising a iframe member and a draw-bar fixed to the frame member and extending therefrom and pivotally connected to the transverse member at a point between the points oi connection of the draft member and the link so that the frame member contacts the transverse member upon pivoting of the pulling means with respect to the transverse member.

5. In combination, a pair oi disk gang frames disposed in tandem relation and pivotaliy connected to one another, a iirst lever member pivoted intermediate its ends on one frame, a link attached to one end of the lever and the other frame, a second lever pivoted near one end on the first frame, a second link connecting the other end oi the first lever and the second lever,

an arcuate member Vattached to the first frame and receiving the free end of the second lever, a rst draw member pivotally attached to the arcuate member, a member connected to the iirst draw-bar and the second lever adjacent its pivot point on the rst frame, a second draw member pivoted on the second lever, a transverse bar pivotally connected at spaced points to the draftbars, and a pulling means comprising a frame member and a draw-bar rigidly attached to the frame member and extending therefrom and pivotally connected to the transverse member at a point intermediate the points of attachment of the draft members so that the frame member contacts the transverse bar upon pivoting of the pulling means with respect to the transverse bar.

6. ln combination, a pair of disk gangs movably attached to one another, draft means connected to both gangs and including a transverse member adapted by turning to bring the gangs into proper angled position for turning, and a pulling means comprising a frame member pivoted in spaced relation to the transverse member so as to contact the transverse member upon pivoting of the means With respect to the transverse member and to cause the transverse member to turn with the frame member.

7. In combination, a pair of disk gangs movably connected to one another, draft means connected to the gangs so as by Yturning to bring the gangs into proper angled position for turning, pulling means pivotally attached to the draft means so as to Contact the draft means upon pivoting of the pulling means with respect to the draft means and to cause the draft means to turn with the pulling means.

ARNOLD E. W. JOHNSON. 

